Roar Stone - StaticNomad

Yo, Mr TWeed

Thanks for that software suggestion and it does look interesting. Only problem is that I don't have either of my two computers running Windows XP. Shame cos I'd try it out if I could run it.

"bass synth arp that introduces itself around 0:20...has a bit of a walking bass style"

Yes, it's pretty unusual in a rock track like this. I think it's quite behind the beat which is maybe why it seems like it's walking.

" extra fat distortion on the rhythm guitar (1:00)"

Yes - most of the track's guitar playing is actually recycled leftover resonator parts originally played with no distortion and then stuck through software amps. I'm quite proud of how I managed to use leftover stuff and layer it up and get it to work. So, I didn't do much actual rocking out on guitar here - it's very much a cut-up sampled job.

"1:45 I`m thinking the cool resonator guitar lines are more for effect than to relay a particular melody line"

I can hear quite a bit of melody there but maybe it takes a few listens to spot it. Again: more recycled old parts. I actually only have a cheap/mid-range resonator though have always wanted a proper ie expensive one. But they are really expensive so I just make do with a poorer tone and then put it through FX.

"3:45..I`m still enjoying this in spite of the fact that I want to hear some key changes or a progression"

There's lots of progression and changes in my music (maybe too many) but I'm sure you're talking about a key change, which I know you particularly love and do in every track. I'm still really bad at it and so don't do it too often.

"cleaner sounding guitar (5:45) that I like..perhaps because it seems more melodic."

Yeah, clean, funky little guitar part there that isn't necessarily in perfect time. Bass and drums underneath are nice too. A chillout, funky middle section before another onslaught of hard rocking returns, adding new riffs and progressions.

"the wav doesn`t have those flat ruler edges that symbolize death of dynamics"

I'm often quite happy with the look of my waveforms (I only really see them when uploading to Looperman) as I try to always have an interesting dynamic mix that is loud but not too loud. Lots of those dynamics are of course in the variations in playing and synth/drum programming. It's not just a mastering thing, as you know.

Thanks for the detailed thoughts.

Indeed - a fantastic song and a surprising collaboration. I think she is the only other singer to feature on a Son Of Dave track.

They should do a whole album together.

If you don't know who Martina Topley Bird is, she was the 15-year-old singer who featured on Tricky's breakthrough album Maxinquaye back in about 1995.

Here's an example track:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dm_q_JQZbBc

No problem. He's a real force of nature and I'm not sure there's anyone out there making music quite like his. He's surprisingly good live considering he has a very minimal setup. I've met him a couple of times as well though he was a bit odd and unresponsive.

He can also come up with some pretty damn cool catchy songs, such as this one, featuring the rather good Martina Topley Bird:

Son of Dave - Devil Take My Soul

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0bLlRx7b_M

In an alternative universe, that could easily be a No 1 hit.

Damn, this guy knows how to groove:

SON OF DAVE - Old Times Were Good Times

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEYm9OoOD4U&list=PLWf5KX9HxkuuiCcjBraKxS2lL7yDbPGBm

Take care as well...

Yo, RoadMan.

Good to hear you grooved to this distorted beast.

Yeah, some of the slide might be a little like Seasick Steve. I actually went to a gig and hung out with him about 8 years ago before he hit the bigtime (still very surprising for an old blues artist). He was the support act but is now way more popular than the guy he was supporting, who is actually much better. A looping, beatboxing harmonica one man band called Son Of Dave. Check him out:

Son of Dave - Hellhound (Live on Later with Jools Holland)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BeTZihJTus

"It loses me a bit around the 4:00 mark"

I think it might be that you're a little bored by then as I'm continuing a vibe that's been going on for a while. Fair enough but I found things didn't feel right if I ended them 8 or so bars earlier.

"drop afterwards 4:48 brings it back nicely"

Yes, that's when I bring in the only proper bass guitar riff in the whole track. Otherwise, its all sub bass synth.

Thanks again.

OK, I see what you mean about Keith Jarrett and country music. Definitely not my preferred type of music.

I understand now what you meant about the volume problem you had. I guess you always have to be prepared for totally different types of music when clicking on different tracks on Looperman and have to adjust how you listen.

Take care.

Hi.

I know this sort of music is a bit "alien" and unfamiliar to you as you have said before that you don't really listen to hard rock music, in any of its many forms.

"most chords here are major chords"

That was not intentional. Maybe I usually go for minor chords because I like things to be deeper and a little bit sadder and darker. I'm clearly not trying to make happy, catchy pop music.

"I can hear very prominent country roots"

Good point and I wondered if anyone would notice that. I don't know why that is but the country vibe is just coming from some particular slide guitar parts. I could feel the country in that collection of notes when playing them. But I do a lot of slide playing and it rarely sounds like county - usually more like blues (which I much prefer).

I though Keith Jarrett was mostly a jazz/fusion guy. Didn't know he had anything to do with country music.

I had a listen to Purcell's Trumpet Tune and I think I know what you mean. My track also has quite a triumphant, bright sound to it.

"there are too many levels and visions on music on Looperman and I am getting easily confused sometimes."

I'm not really sure what that means but not to worry.

Thanks for the feedback.

Greetings, Mr Shuckers.

It has been quite a while. You may even be a teenager by now!

Good to hear you enjoyed this one so much. Perhaps the dance elements make it stand out a bit for you from other rock tracks. That was my aim. You know I make dance tracks as well as rock so good fun to combine the two.

"I really like that fat bass around 2:24"

Yeah, that's pretty cool and a nice way of breaking up all the guitar playing. Unless someone's a real virtuoso, I tend not to like instrumental tracks with guitar from start to finish. Good to let some other sounds take over, if only for a bit.

4:51 breakdown is another good example of that, even though it's all timestretched guitar parts in that section. But they sound so different and much more like some of ambient string/synth sound.

I never saw Firefly though I seem to recall people really liked it but it got cancelled after just one season. No idea if this track would suit it but thanks for the thought anyway.

Take good care of yourself, Mr S.

Hi Danke.

Yes, I am enjoying rocking hard here. I had a lot of extra riffs that I could have put in this one. But I am instead right now turning those riffs into a new, much heavier and darker track.

Opening riff sounded quite weak until I put it through some distortion. That was the beginning of the whole track. And then I just kept adding more and more recycled guitar parts - some probably played and recorded 5 years ago, or more.

"0.27: that high noted guitar"

That's me doing harmonics on my resonator guitar. A cool sound that is difficult to get right.

I'm really pleased with "6.15: solo" as that is not a new part. It's just the same triplet guitar playing from the section before but now through distortion to make it sound so powerful and interesting.

"6.45: riff"

is more triplet guitar playing. Not a bad riff but I prefer the one at 7:05.

Thanks for the thoughts and a handshake to you too.